Dutch sensation Femke Bol delivered yet another masterclass in the women’s 400m hurdles, clinching her third consecutive London Diamond League title on Saturday. Racing at the iconic London Stadium — a track she holds close to her heart — Bol clocked 52.10 seconds in a commanding win that further solidifies her position as the world’s premier hurdler.
Dominance on a familiar track
Bol, 25, took control of the race in the final 150 metres, pulling away from a competitive field that included Jasmine Jones of the United States and Jamaica’s Andrenette Knight. Though all three athletes were neck-and-neck in the early stages, Bol surged ahead with her signature stride pattern down the home stretch, claiming a clear victory.
Despite the win, the four-time Olympic medallist admitted she wasn’t entirely satisfied with her time.
“When I saw the time, I was not too happy because I felt I ran a better race in Monaco,” Femke Bol told Olympics.com. “I was hoping to go a bit faster, and I focused on the second bend to do better.”
London holds a special place
Bol's affection for the London Stadium was evident in her post-race comments. She first dipped under the 52-second mark at this venue in 2023, and she still holds the meeting record of 51.30s set that year. For the Dutch star, performing in front of the London crowd is always something she relishes.
“I love this track, I love this crowd, so you want to give them something special. It is a win, so I am happy, so I have to take the positives,” she said, reflecting on the race.
Femke Bol’s focus turns toward bigger goals
While Saturday's performance was enough to earn her the top podium spot, Femke Bol emphasized that it marks the end of the first competitive phase of her season. Looking ahead, she's setting her sights firmly on preparing for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo.
“The weather was not the problem today, it was on me. Now I am going back into training, this is the end of the first block, so we can go back and review how things have gone and be ready for the next block, which leads into Tokyo (World Championships),” she concluded.
Final Results – Women’s 400m Hurdles (London Diamond League 2025)
Femke Bol (NED) – 52.10
Jasmine Jones (USA) – 53.18
Andrenette Knight (JAM) – 53.79
Gianna Woodruff (PAN) – 54.00
Emma Zapletalová (SVK) – 54.08
Lina Nielsen (GBR) – 55.04
Daniela Ledecká (SVK) – 55.83
Janieve Russell (JAM) – 1:00.55